MBBC Altitude Edition 4 by MoretonBayColleges

ALTITUDE EDITION 4 2021

A HIDDEN GEM Mr Richard Henry | CEO and Executive Principal, The Moreton Bay Colleges In my first article for the Altitude, I thought it would be appropriate to share my first impressions of MBBC with you. First impressions matter, and I can categorically say that my expectations have been surpassed with what I have seen so far. As I first entered the campus, I was pleasantly surprised to walk through the impressive natural setting in which the boys learn. The grounds are a hidden gem from the street, but a delightful setting primed for a variety of educational opportunities. For the Board of Governors, I created a 30-day report which summarised my initial review of the College. I am pleased to say that in my report most findings were overwhelmingly positive. The College has clear and aspirational guiding statements which are underpinned by the College’s Values of Engagement, Character, Care and Teamwork. There is a clear commitment from the College Leadership and staff to the vision and mission. The respective roles and responsibilities of governance across the colleges are clearly defined and I was particularly pleased to see the Board has established a robust set of sub-committees which facilitate focused conversations and planned actions with respect to

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education, infrastructure, finance, risk and governance, along with The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Foundation. A new feature of the College is the Teaching and Learning Approach which has been well thought through and underpinned by current research. The wellbeing of students is a tremendous strength of both Colleges. There are effective policies in place to identify the varied needs of students and to meet the growing demand for students to develop wellbeing, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Of course, this is not to say that we do not have areas for improvement…every school does. All educational institutions should always be striving to improve such that teaching and learning is delivered to the highest possible standards and students are engaged and happy. One change I have already initiated in consultation with the College Principals is the realignment of leadership teams so that our shared services and cross campus leaders are enabled to better meet the needs of their constituents. You may also have noticed that we have adjusted the communications to parents by now sending out a Weekly Bulletin to inform you as to what is taking place each week. The newsletter will no longer be sent out fortnightly but will be replaced by the

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College magazines which will be sent out each term. The creation of the Strategic Asset Management and Facility Plan is underway along with a 10-year financial plan. These are extremely positive steps forward and will ensure the strong alignment of financial planning and facilities development. The implementation of a healthy Foundation Plan will also be of significant benefit for the long-term success of the Colleges.

I believe there is a wonderful opportunity to create something distinct at MBBC with respect to the curriculum. A spotlight on a “technopreneurial” curriculum would be one approach where we can be future focussed for our students and provide them with the skills needed in the world today.

The most important factor in delivering a high-quality education experience is the relationship between the teacher and the student. The most successful schools have outstanding teachers. Ensuring highquality teaching will always be my focus in collaboration with the College Leadership Teams. I must thank the community for the warm welcome which I have received. This is a reflection of the caring and collaborative community we have at MBBC. I believe we have very strong foundation already in place which, with your support, augurs well for a bright and prosperous future in which we will ensure that we are preparing our students for tomorrow’s world.

MBBC SPIRIT IS ALIVE AND WELL Mr Andrew Holmes | Principal

What an amazing couple of terms! It has certainly passed by very quickly and I congratulate the boys who have remained engaged, positive and focused. Recently, I have had the opportunity to attend a variety of events that provide opportunities for the community to come together and celebrate a sense of belonging. I am continuously reminded that that we are blessed with a vibrant, positive and caring community who continue to support and connect with the College. It is clear that the MBBC spirit is alive and well, and as I reflect on what we have achieved over the last few terms, I do so with a sense of pride and gratitude. I am proud of the way that our boys continually embrace the College Values of Teamwork, Care, Character and Engagement in everything that they do, and I commend them for their dedication, hard work, resilience, commitment, and strength of character they have shown throughout Term 2 and Term 3. The Class of 2021 are testament to this. As they prepare to graduate in the coming weeks, I have every confidence that these fine young men, with the support of staff

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and their parents, will walk bravely forward on their chosen paths. I am grateful to be part of this amazing College community, who continue to support and care for each other during this period of uncertainty. As we continue to face the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the recent lockdowns and transition once again to Remote at home Learning clearly demonstrated the collegiality, adaptability and sense of togetherness shown by the MBBC community. I would like to acknowledge the commitment, dedication and enthusiasm of our hardworking staff at MBBC, who continually go above and beyond to deliver the best outcomes four our students and are an integral part of this amazing community. I am proud that this vibrant, dynamic and diverse College celebrated its 18th birthday with the Foundation Day Service and celebrations. It is always a special occasion when we can connect as a whole school community, and the morning gave me great joy and pride. Landmark events are very special at MBBC, and I am proud to say that the College held its first Reconciliation Week celebration. The celebration

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included a smoking ceremony including traditional Jandi songs, and we were blessed with the attendance of Quandamooka elders and several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. I am grateful for the outstanding co-curricular opportunities offered to our boys, enabling them to find their passions. The College Musical, The Wiz, provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their creative talents, while the Mountain Bike team placed first in the 99 Bikes Cycle Epic and were awarded the Most Epic School for the sixth consecutive year!

raised over $26,000 for people and communities in need. This edition of Altitude clearly demonstrates the community spirit that exists at MBBC is alive and well, and as you read though the various articles, I hope you reflect on what an amazing community we have at MBBC. With Faith and Integrity,

I am proud to be part of such a supportive and proactive Parents and Friends committee who organised the Glitz and Glamour ball held at the Emporium hotel. My sincere thanks to our amazing parents who continue to support the College in many events throughout the year. Term 3 concluded with the annual Carnival Day, which included the Colour run and many carnival stalls. It was a wonderful way to finish the term and

PYP EXHIBITION JOURNEY Mr Richard Curtis | Head of Primary

"I learned so much about myself, my strengths, and my weaknesses as a learner. I was able to identify the importance of being a balanced learner, how to manage my emotions and expectations, and become more resilient and self-motivated." This statement was made by a student who completed their PYP Exhibition in Year 6 and was asked to reflect on the experience. I wanted to kick-start this article with this quote, it's both powerful and insightful, it comprises words that are essential to learners today. The idea around being a balanced learner who is self-motivated and resilient speaks to the Primary Years Programme as it prepares students for the future. The IB (International Baccalaureate) programme is divided into three parts across a student's educational life, beginning with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students between the ages of three and 12. At MBBC and MBC Primary, we are IB world schools that adhere to the Standards and Practises of the PYP. The PYP's elements including skills, knowledge, agency, action and the learner profile are all interwoven throughout the daily life of our students and are also integrated within subject areas aligned with

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the six transdisciplinary themes: Who we are, Where we are in place and time, How we express ourselves, How the world works, How we organise ourselves and Sharing the planet. The PYP is about empowering individuals to understand that they can create positive change in the world, be it big or small to make it a better place for all, thinking globally but acting locally. The MBBC community has been involved with the PYP for over eight years, and we utilise our community to support learners throughout the process in a variety of ways, such as mentoring and developing productive networks. The programme culminates with the Year 6 PYP Exhibition, a student-led collaborative experience where participants are allowed to explore, document, and evidence their understanding of an issue or area of personal significance and the inquiry learning process. It enables students to present their analysis and insights on a wide variety of subjects ranging from fossil fuels to gender equality and the current challenges presented by COVID-19. In 2021, MBBC followed the Central Idea of 'The relationship between forms of expression and the wellbeing of self and others'. This was the first time in a while that we had moved to the transdisciplinary theme of How we express ourselves, moving away from Sharing the planet. The

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direction this took the students was surprising and incredibly positive and allowed for far better collaboration with our specialist subject teachers.

for inquiry. For many students, they are surprised at how supportive primary sources are, the boys contact outside experts with questions and ideas and are so pleased when they hear back or receive ideas and praise for what they are working on, it makes the whole process so authentic.

There are so many advantages and opportunities for lifelong learning and skill development through the PYP Exhibition. Although the boys themselves might not realise it, the PYP Exhibition is also an integral part of navigating the transition to secondary school learning, and the transition to secondary studies. The boys worked towards taking action from their learning that may be through the lens of social entrepreneurship, social justice, lifestyle choices, advocacy, or participation in a way that helps realise that, at any age, and, in a variety of ways, they too can make a difference.

The boys grow through their presentation skills, they enjoy how the exhibition not only helps them develop presentation and inquiry skills but also refines their time management abilities and enables them to be responsible for their learning.

The breadth of input from right across the MBBC community, and local community experts, is a unique way of enabling reallife connections for students, as well as sparking their curiosity

They aren't just told what to do but guided. This helps strengthen their independence which is a great skill for transitioning into secondary schooling. The feedback from parents after the exhibition evening is always a highlight. The way they see their son’s as engaging, passionate, and mature young men is always heart-warming. The exhibition itself is the highlight of the experience, as it is done in a manner that requires the students to share their learning in a way, they may be required to outside of their school community. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate each student's exhibition achievements. The boys grow so much through the process of the exhibition, and there are times where they need to take risks. This process goes a long way in preparing our students for tomorrow’s world. The honing of thinking, communication and self-management skills is amazing to see, and reinforces we’re preparing them well for their futures.

A NEW TEACHING AND LEARNING APPROACH AT THE MORETON BAY COLLEGES Education plays a vital role in developing the intellectual, physical, social, emotional, moral and spiritual characteristics of any child. In today’s fast-paced world, children need to be able to process and evaluate the abundance of information at their fingertips. In addition to this, they must also learn to navigate their social environment in a way that engenders trust and expresses authenticity. In our twenty-first century, communication and relationship development are skills for success; and we believe that children need to be flexible, resilient, and creative, with the ability to remain curious so that they may keep on learning throughout their lives. At The Moreton Bay Colleges, we are proud to launch our new Teaching and Learning Approach. At The Moreton Bay Colleges, we believe that learning is at the heart of our inclusive Christian community. We have a shared responsibility to prioritise teaching and learning through the delivery of an innovative and differentiated curriculum. By providing progressive and purposeful learning and transformative assessment opportunities, we endeavour to foster future-focussed, global citizens. To provide an outstanding student experience, teachers at The Moreton Bay Colleges ensure that learning environments are collaborative, supportive and productive, that the Colleges promote student agency through an inquirybased curriculum and that our students are challenged to be curious, agile and reflective thinkers so that they may contribute meaningfully to our globally connected community. The Colleges values of Engagement, Character,

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Care and Teamwork underpin the Teaching and Learning approach. Our Teaching and Learning approach fosters the development of: • Curious teachers and students who are creative and critical in their thinking and who have a strong desire to learn and grow. • Agile teachers and students who are not only open-minded but who are confident to take risks on their learning journey. • Collaborative teachers and students who practise empathy and who work respectfully in teams to bring out the best in each other. • Reflective teachers and students who embrace the growth mindset and who not only try new approaches to learning and but also evaluate their effectiveness. • Agentic teachers and students who advocate responsibly and respectively and who have a genuine belief that they can make a difference in this world. Over the past three years, students, parents, teachers and Leadership staff from Primary and Secondary across the five sub-schools of both Colleges have been working together in a development process to create our unique Teaching and Learning Approach - to ensure that we all have a collective understanding of what we value as a learning community. When you consider the five approaches – Agency, Collaboration, Agility, Curiosity and Reflection - it is important to understand that this applies to all members of our learning community – students, teachers, parents, and

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the broader community. We want all members of our community to be agentic learners; so that we may all have voice, choice, and ownership of our learning journeys. Our teachers make deliberate choices to ensure a focussed and purposeful approach in their instructional design so that the curriculum they deliver in their classrooms is not only accessible by all, but that it also encourages curiosity and agile thinking. We encourage and foster a collaborative environment and provide opportunities to rethink, revise and reflect on the learning process to enable and encourage future improvement.

teachers, students and parents, lived the experience. We have spent many hours in workshops challenging one another to consider what is vital to our learning community, as well as what is unique about Teaching and Learning at The Moreton Bay Colleges. Ultimately, by engaging students in learning processes that fosters deep understanding and, by working in partnership to develop a truly collaborative approach, The Moreton Bay Colleges, as an entire community of learners, provide experiences for growth in a safe, happy and connected environment.

ING APP N R A RO E L Agency

Collaboration

Voice Choice Ownership

Communicate Cooperate Contribute

Reflection

H AC

TEACHING A ND

The development of this teaching and learning approach was only possible because our

OUR LEARNING

COMMUNITY

DEMONSTRATES

Agility Open-minded Adaptable Resilient

Feedback Growth Progress

Curiosity What is possible? What else? What if?

VET IN SCHOOLS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS Ms Katrina Shehab | VET Coordinator In a changing world, education through Vocational Education and Training (VET) offers our students a flexible learning option during their Senior years, and VET Programmes being offered in Schools continue to grow in popularity.

Construction, Tourism, Business, Screen and Media, Telecommunications, Carpentry, Engineering, Project Management, Hospitality, Information, Digital Media and Technology, and Social Media Marketing to name some.

The Moreton Bay Boys’ College VET Programme offers students diversity and flexible pathway opportunities in addition to Senior timetabled subjects. Our boys can achieve a QCE, an ATAR and have a VET qualification, preparing them for opportunities at university or fast tracking them directly into a career pathway.

Our VET programme is driven by the desires of our students begin a career pathway or to

At MBBC, we support each student, and this includes preparing them for their career and learning journey when they leave the college. This individualised focus has contributed to the growth and popularity if VET study at MBBC, with over 30% (and growing) students enrolling and completing VET qualification courses during Year 11 and Year 12. The success of our flexible programme arises from the passion of the students, the support provided from the MBBC Leadership team and direct supervision, support and care within the VET programme. Students are supervised and encouraged to work at their best in a positive learning space within the VET programme. Easily the most diverse “subject” in Senior schooling, students may study a certificate course at TAFE one day a week, learn in a flexible arrangement with an external Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or start a traineeship/ apprenticeship while completing their QCE. RTOs offer courses in the areas of Fitness, Crime and Justice, Visual Arts, Logistics, Electrotechnology,

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“test and taste” an industry. A good example of “testing and tasting” industry is within a popular course our VET students’ access – TAFE Queensland Trade Taster Programmes that allow eligible high school students to try a course

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without needing to commit to a full qualification or apprenticeship. This initiative allows students to engage in training to determine if a course is the right option for them or test out a potential career path they are considering following in the future. A relatively new offering, some of our students now have the opportunity to study via virtual reality. These classes are held in an online classroom twice a week. MBBC students attend classes and tutorials for their Diploma or Certificate course of choice, with students from around the state. This programme is wonderful. Students remain on campus, excuse themselves from their timetabled class and then join their peers in a virtual class in the library on the MBBC campus. There may only be one student from

MBBC interested in this course, giving our students more opportunity to study a course that is suited to the individual and not limited by numbers of students interested in a course. The students in the MBBC VET programme are provided opportunities that warrant personal success. We discuss diversity and multiple options guiding into a desired career pathway. The boys achieve the outcomes they need for the next steps in life after college. This may be done a little differently to traditional senior schooling; however, it is extremely satisfying and rewarding for both the students and the VET Coordinator at MBBC. Thank you to our wonderful students achieving great things during their senior years.

MAKING MATES IN THE SHED

For the third year running, both Year 5 classes participated in our 'MATEs In The Shed' programme with the Year 11 Design Technology students. MATEs stands for Mentoring Another Through Education, and provides our younger boys with a mentor and assists older students in developing their leadership skills. Each Year 5 was partnered with a Year 11, and alternated between the Graphics Lab and the Woodwork Shed. The boys worked together to design a keyring using the laser cutter (which the Year 5 boys could keep), and a wooden Christmas ornament to be donated to UnitingCare. “I worked well with my MATE because they answered my questions and helped me when I was stuck. I also enjoyed making more connections around the school and developing other friendships” - Alex Gooderson 5A. The Year 5s were introduced to workplace health and safety and basic wood working methods

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that they'll use in Year 7, including using hand tools and machines, marking out, drilling, sawing, filing, sanding and painting. They also experienced the advantages of using CADCAM through the manufacture of their key rings using the laser cutter. This was a fantastic opportunity for the Year 5s to learn not only design skills from the Year 11s, but also to develop friendships with some of the older boys within the MBBC community. It was impressive how the older boys showcased responsibility and leadership, while the Year 5 boys graciously accepted feedback and listened carefully to design advice from their older MATE. This programme also supports our many initiatives to enable a stress-free transition to Secondary school for our Primary boys, exposing them to the teaching staff and the learning environments they will be moving into at the start of Year 7.

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OLD BOYS’ INDUCT FIRST COMMITTEE Mrs Jemanda Hannouf | Community Development Officer Moreton Bay Boys’ College is constantly developing and working hard to grow the Alumni network, and with the college being the young age of 18, our Old Boys’ are still quite young too. However, as the Old Boys’ have been growing, so too has the desire to formalise some of the operations. As such, In 2021 the Old Boys’ inducted their first MBBC committee of elected members. Congratulations go to: ~ President | Daniel Kyranis (2010) ~ Vice President | Bodie King (2010) ~ Secretary | Jaafar Jabur (2018) ~ Treasurer | Nicholas Thompson (2016)

The benefits of joining our Alumni network are many and varied! It’s a great way for past students to stay connected to their cohort and faculty, stay up to date with developments happening at the College, and discover what fellow Old Boys’ are doing with their lives and careers. There’s also opportunities to volunteer and give back to young and emerging MBBC students, invitations to exclusive Alumni events and invites back to College events. The Old Boys’ are also able to provide job search, mentoring and professional development opportunities. If you would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out on oldboys@ mbbc.qld.edu.au.

Committee Members - Jackson Willmott (2018), Kyle Falconer (2016), Rory Cooper (2018), Tavis Bancroft (2016), Charlie Roache (2019), Finley Williams (2017) , Hugh Fletcher (2019), James de Raat (2019), Connor Leonard (2019) and Braydee Shegog (2020) In Term 3, the Old Boys’ welcomed back our Class of 2020 from both Moreton Bay College and Moreton Bay Boys’ College, it was great to see so many amazing graduates back in the bay.

INTERHOUSE ATHLETICS

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INTERHOUSE CROSS COUNTRY 15

SPOTLIGHT ON TEACHERS Who was your favourite teacher when you were in school and how did they impact you? Unsurprisingly, my favourite teacher was my Art teacher when I was in Year 12. He allowed me to be creative and encouraged me to create work that was unique to my own values and beliefs, while also guiding me in the right direction- something that I value highly and encourage in my own teaching practice. Art shouldn’t be about creating to simply appease others or gain approval but should be created because it is important to the artist to express those concepts and ideas, and important for the viewer to see it. What have you discovered lately that led you to improve the way you teach?

Miss Ebony Horn Qualifications - Bachelor of Fine Art and Post-Graduate Diploma of Secondary Education What’s unique about teaching Visual Art? The unique thing about teaching Art is that you are always working on something new. Often, students present a plethora of different ideas in response to the same question or stimulus, which allows each student to express themselves in their own individual and creative way. It also gives me an opportunity to see things from multiple perspectives and inspires me to create learning activities or build on what I have already created so that the artworks the boys produce are something that they are proud of and excited by.

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I discovered this a while ago, however it is something that I keep in mind often. When students feel safe and comfortable, they are more inclined to be creative, take risks and seek feedback, which is important in my subject. I always try my best to create an environment that students want to come to and feel comfortable in, so that if the boys need extra time to work on their artwork, feedback or support, they know they can come down to the Art Room and I will be happy to help. What do you think makes MBBC a special place to learn? MBBC is a special place to learn because of the sense of community in the College. Each boy is known by each teacher, and this creates a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone.

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one thing that he did that had an impact on me, it was more that he took the time to embrace our circumstances and use them to create valuable learning experiences. His continuous dedication to our little school and his belief that we could have the same quality education as children in the city is what has remained with me. What have you discovered lately that led you to improve the way you teach?

Mrs Sharon Atkins Qualifications - Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) What’s unique about teaching Prep? In Prep, we have the privilege of being a part of our boys’ first year of formal schooling. It is our role, in partnership with our families, to help our most precious resources develop an early love of learning. Our days are filled with spontaneity, unexpected challenges, and ground-breaking moments as we help our boys develop independence, establish friendships, and navigate their new environment. Every day we have the opportunity to refresh our imagination as we plan lessons designed to spark an interest and capture the curiosity of our youngest learners. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching Prep is that it teaches us to embrace the unexpected and in doing so we often find our most ‘teachable moments’.

Recently, I was offered the opportunity to attend an Early Years Conference focusing on how inquiry, oracy, and interactions enhance the Early Years Curriculum. It was timely as I had been thinking of ways that I could encourage more purposeful talk and effective interactions between my students. During the conference, we were provided with a range of practical ideas and different strategies to help our students build their oral language skills for learning, interacting, and communicating. My goal now is to ensure that there is more of a focus on oracy in my classroom so that every boy learns to use his voice effectively to articulate his ideas and engage with others. What do you think makes MBBC a special place to learn? For me it is the people; the students, parents, and staff, who through their energy and passion, bring our college to life every day. Our inclusive, supportive, community embodies and encourages individuality and respect, allowing every boy to find his unique place and feel that he belongs. A college for everyone, MBBC is a safe place to have a go and be yourself. We value making meaningful connections with each boy as a child first and then as a student. We are a school where everybody knows your name and that is what makes MBBC a special place to learn.

Who was your favourite teacher when you were in school and how did they impact you? My primary school years were spent at a ‘one teacher’ school in Western Queensland. Teachers came and went; however, I was fortunate to have the same teacher for three years. He was very community orientated and worked hard to ensure our isolation didn’t prevent us from accessing the opportunities available to children in larger schools. It wasn’t

CULTURAL SUCCESS

THE WIZ TAKES US ALL THE WAY TO THE EMERALD CITY Ms Kate Fitzgerald | Director of Dance and Drama - The Moreton Bay Colleges As continued lockdowns interrupted planning, auditions, and rehearsal schedules, our Arts community never lost hope that we would make it to the Emerald City in June this year. Students from both Colleges embarked on their musical journey through initial auditions in January which saw a plethora of talent come forward to sing, dance, act and play their way along the Yellow Brick Road. College staff were thrilled by the talent at the auditions which saw a cast of over 90 students engaged to be a part of the chorus, character roles, a student orchestra, crew and our first ever Pit Chorus singers. Students and staff engaged in weekly rehearsals and dedicated weekend intensives to develop and refine their skills in the Musical Theatre arena. Our wonderful Parent Arts Support Group (PASG) reinforced such commitment by ensuring all involved were fed and refreshed at each intensive, whilst also fundraising to support the wonderful work of our Arts students at the Colleges. As we waited with bated breath for restrictions to ease and theatre occupant density capacities to lift, our students and staff never wavered in their preparations. Such commitment was rewarded as we made it to Opening Night, with outstanding accolades of praise and great excitement. Of note was the outstanding performance of the student orchestra led by the Colleges’ Musical Director Mr Ben Langford. To play an entire two-hour show is a challenge in itself for professional musicians, however our students played night after night, some with blistering fingers, without falter. Hugh Bettinson, Guy Di Mattina, James Seymour, Bryan Ng, Trent Newton, Lewis Campbell and Max Chang delivered exceptional performances in the Orchestra and as noted by Hugh, this particular musical allowed each student to build their skills in playing a “highly contemporary repertoire”.

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Exceptional student performances flooded the evening from the entire cast, and we were so very proud of the commitment and performances from the chorus including that of Bailey Nisbet, Camilo Suarez, Oliver Zaccaria and Lennon Sellick. Noah Townsend, Jayden Lawrence and Rami Mfinanga all produced confident and entertaining portrayals in their respective roles of the Mouse Squad, Lord Underling and the Winged Monkey. Of note was the wonderful performance of Harrison Blackmore in one of the lead roles as the Tinman. Harrison’s committed performance allowed audiences to connect with the heartfelt journey of the Tinman through playful song, dance, and comedy! Special mention must go to the understudied performance of Wil Bancroft in the role of the Tinman at the Matinee performance. Wil’s bold portrayal was both exciting and moving as he confidently approached the role with enthusiasm and vigour. Not to forget the wonderful Technical Crew which included Jacobie Titman, Benjamin

Cunningham and Jonathan Xecanas who supported staff and students throughout all the rehearsals and performances. In particular, Jacobie’s quick-thinking problem-solving skills when it came to all things sound and lighting allowed for smooth rehearsals and performances to run without fail. None of this could have been possible without the wonderful directorial capabilities of Mrs Emma Pattemore. Her vision, passion, and dedication to providing our students with a professional approach and experience of Musical Theatre has no doubt enhanced every performer who took part, but also produced long-lasting memories that will live on in the hearts of all. The Wiz certainly proved to be a great success and will live on in the memories of the College community for years to come.

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SPORTS SUCCESS

DETERMINATION + COMMUNITY Ms Cerene Hughes | Head of Sport At a recent school sport forum, a student leader shared the remarkable story of Tommy Caldwell. Tommy is an American rock climber whose background, preparation, and ultimate success in climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park has attracted great media attention. His story is pure inspiration and an exceptional choice for a sport forum address. His story is compelling, even for those of us who would not dream of rock climbing. In Tommy Caldwell we see the immense value of determination backed by his community. We encourage it in our students, we look for it in our leaders, we feel our best selves when we demonstrate it, and we aspire to promote it in those we influence. In every squad, side, crew, team or club, there is always one individual who stands out for their determination. Regardless of the circumstances, that individual finds a way to give more. In a school community, it is difficult to see and acknowledge all those individuals and, in many cases, they do not need or want acknowledgement. Their drive is intrinsic, and their rewards are far more personal. On behalf of all of us who are inspired by determination, I offer the following acknowledgements: Thank you to the boy who attended every session and did everything he was asked by the coach. Thank you to the teacher-coach who backed up from a week of planning, teaching and assessment to put their team in the best position to compete. Thank you to the student leader who challenged their peers, before and after the badge.

Thank you to the parent who gave up their own time each week, to ensure their son was at training and provided support and encouragement in competition. Thank you to support staff members whose work ethic and willingness to help enables us to achieve our goals. Furthermore, curating determination is our strength of community at MBBC. As valued members of our community, we rely on your support of our work in engaging, developing, and leading your sons to their best performances. I was delighted to read one program leader’s attempt to address this within a section of our community in their communication: Along the way, we will face challenges among our team; I need to stress that this is completely normal. There will likely be injuries, illness, flat tyres, poor weather, sleep-ins, cancellations and so forth. There is no need to stress over these; instead, we embrace the adversity and continue on our way. While we do everything we can to avoid these situations, we cannot wrap every boy in cotton wool, nor do we want to, so please stay with us and enjoy the journey, in all its glory. Thank you for taking this journey with us, for supporting your son in his co-curricular involvements, whether they be sporting, cultural, academic, specialist, or a combination. His MBBC education is incomplete without this engagement and the quality of our offerings are the product of an intricate network, powered by a determined community. Your determination inspires us all.

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SPORTS SUCCESS

MOUNTAIN BIKING After an exciting weekend filled with thrills and spills, The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Mountain Bike Club have defended their title of Most EPIC School at the 99 Bikes Cycle Epic for an amazing 6th year in a row. With over 300 metres of elevation, riders faced long climbs and steep, root-filled descents that were even more treacherous than usual. Head Coach Mark Watts has continued to work with the riders to develop fitness and technical skills, so that these young athletes are in the best possible condition come race day. In the MINI EPIC 4.2km U12 male race, Jack Mearns was on the podium, coming second in his event after some exceptional riding. Congratulations to all the team who put in some amazing rides. Together with the girls at MBC, the team brought home prize money to the value of $1000, which will be used to support the growth of the Colleges’ Mountain Bike programme.

P&F UPDATE

CARNIVAL DAY

Mr Stephen Gray | MBBC P&F President

Mrs Jemanda Hannouf | Community Development Officer

The Moreton Bay Boys’ College P&F Committee had a very busy few months running some amazing fundraising events, after limited events were able to run last year during Covid restrictions.

After a very busy Term 3, the our boys were able to enjoy the return of the Annual Carnival Day, with the inception of MBBC’s very first colour run event. This was the most successful Carnival Day in the college’s history, raising over $26,000 for charity!

In Term 2 the P&F held their first major fundraising event of the year, MBBC P&F Trivia Night, with the theme being “All Things Sports” held in the MBBC Sports Hall, to honour the MBBC Hall turning 10 this year. There were food trucks, and amazing raffles prizes guests could win. Term 3, Our primary students enjoyed a little shopping at the P&F Father’s Day Stall, with a great selection of presents all organised by the dedicated P&F Committee, and this year we switched to a cashless event. The next major fundraising event was the MBBC Glitz and Glamour Ball and is the MBBC P&F signature fundraising event of the year. With over 130 guests attending, it was a great night enjoyed by all at the Emporium Hotel, Southbank. The support from the community and local businesses was overwhelming. Guests also had the chance to win raffle prizes including MBBC Term fees, or the very popular MBBC VIP Car Park, as well as over $11,000 worth of prizes all donated by our amazing community.

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Carnival Day is an important day for the school, with the community raising money and all proceeds going to our selected charities. This year, MBBC was proud to be supporting Camp Quality for the 11th year, along with two additional deserving charities; Kids Help Line and Story Dogs. The day started with an obstacle course set up on the oval by our amazing Ground Staff, which the students ran around multiple times while enjoying colour being splashed over them. After white clothing turned into to psychodelic multi-colour outfits, the boys moved to the roundabout to enjoy activities set up for Carnival Day, including the Leo’s BBQ, Domino’s Pizza donated by an amazing MBBC Parent, lob-achoc, showbags, the ping-pong toss, Basket of Awesomeness, Sweet Stall and the very popular Dunk-a-Teacher!

ALTITUDE | EDITION 4

GIVING, BRINGS US TOGETHER Mrs Alex Givney | Foundation Manager

In 2020, when COVID-19 hit, our community connected like never before. While face-to-face engagement has been limited at times, we have embraced online learning, working remotely and using Teams and Zoom for extra-curricular activities. During this challenging time, the Foundation joined forces with the Colleges and both P&F Associations to collaboratively fund a project that would best support students, families and the broader colleges’ community. Given the increasing reliance on online platforms, it made sense to invest in technology projects that would improve online engagement. Collectively, $80,000 was committed by the groups: $25,000 from the MBC P&F, $5,000 from the MBBC P&F, $25,000 from the Colleges and $25,000 from The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Foundation. The Colleges’ IT team identified three targeted information technology projects that would deliver the greatest improvement in our online engagement and the funding was committed to these initiatives. One of the activities families and the broader community mentioned they missed most during COVID restrictions was attending college events. Even during ‘more normal times’ it is becoming increasingly challenging for busy families to attend every important event. Live streaming these events provides opportunities for the broader community to conveniently attend and feel engaged and involved. For this reason, one of the key projects funded involved purchasing online streaming equipment; two transportable sets, one each for MBC and MBBC, and a permanently fixed set up in the

MORETON BAY BOYS' COLLEGE

MBC Music Centre. Already this equipment is being utilised and allows MBC and MBBC to engage more effectively with students, families (including grandparents), staff, Alumni, and the wider community.

ALTITUDE | EDITION 4

The second project funded relates to the sharing and management of photos within the Colleges. The Colleges’ IT team have selected a new system that will enable us to share photos from events and key activities with families easily and safely. Our hope is to have this implemented and ready for launch in 2022. The third technology project involves setting up two virtual classrooms to support cross college collaboration, with the potential to share ideas and resources. One classroom will be set up at MBC and another at MBBC. This will allow our students to better interact, share ideas and engage not just locally, but potentially globally too. We asked the leaders of the donating stakeholder groups to share why they thought this project was a worthy opportunity to give. Here is what they had to say:

“The Foundation is passionate about helping deliver improved educational experiences for our children and helping parents juggle their busy lifestyles and many commitments. It is our hope that by contributing to this project, parents will be able to engage with their children’s activities at the Colleges in a more flexible manner.” -Jason Titman, The Moreton Bay Colleges’ Foundation Chair. “Moreton Bay Boys’ College is committed to providing an outstanding student experience, and it is hoped that by contributing towards these innovative technology projects, the boys will be provided unique learning opportunities. Livestreaming our special events will also strengthen the connection with our community.”

-Andrew Holmes, MBBC Principal

“The College is excited to support these joint projects. Being able to livestream our assemblies, Chapels and special events engages our extended community, and ensures that students and families can remain connected in these sometimes-disconnected days.

-Janet Stewart, MBC Principal

“Societally, we’re experiencing step change in how we leverage technology to collaborate and communicate. It’s the way of the future so it’s wonderful that MBC is on the front foot here. An exciting example is the virtual classroom which will leverage a range of digital solutions to expand the girls’ curiosity, learning and knowledge of the world. As parents, it's terrific to see this strategy being invested in and coming to life for our daughters.” -Theresa Jory, MBC P&F Vice-President “The confident and responsible digital natives who will emerge from our schools in the years ahead will work and operate in spaces that they will have been well prepared for, thanks to contributions such as this technology project. We commend the Colleges for continuing to seek new and improved ways for our boys to learn and prosper.”

-Stephen Gray, MBBC P&F President

Find out more Visit our website and download a Prospectus. www.mbbc.qld.edu.au

Visit us Book a College Tour with our Enrolments team. registrar@mbbc.qld.edu.au 07 3249 9322

302 Manly Road Manly West Queensland 4179 P 07 3906 9444

Enrol online For your convenience our online enrolment process is now available. www.mbbc.qld.edu.au/enrol

mail@mbbc.qld.edu.au www.mbbc.qld.edu.au A Pre-Prep - Year 12 Uniting Church School for boys CRICOS 03772J